2015-03-31T20:45:26ZIntegrating field data into individual-based models of the migrationof European eel larvaehttp://hdl.handle.net/2122/8954
Title: Integrating field data into individual-based models of the migrationof European eel larvae
Authors: Melia, P.; Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Politecnico di Milano,Italy; Schiavina, M.; Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Politecnico di Milano,Italy; Gatto, M.; Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Politecnico di Milano,Italy; Bonaventura, L.; MOX, Dipartimento di Matematica ‘F. Brioschi’, Politecnico di Milano, Italy; Masina, S.; Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici,Bologna,Italy and Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Bologna, Italy; Casagrandi, R.; Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Politecnico di Milano,Italy
Abstract: Lagrangian simulations based on coupled physical-biological models can help deter-
mine the mechanisms that affect fish recruitment, but only if the key biological and environmental
drivers are accurately described. However, it is difficult to obtain experimental measurements for
some vital traits, such as mortality and/or movement patterns. The different hypotheses about
these traits can be contrasted by comparing simulation outputs with experimental data that can be
collected in the field, such as body size distribution at selected transects. We used this approach to
study the oceanic migration of European eel larvae. Despite considerable research effort (involv-
ing both field surveys and simulation studies), it is still uncertain whether this migration is a purely
passive process or the result of the interaction between transport by currents and an active larval
movement. Based on present knowledge of eel larvae and predictions of metabolic ecology, we
developed a parameterized model that provided a simple, yet biologically reasonable description
of the species’ key life history traits (body growth, mortality and movement). We contrasted differ-
ent model settings and identified the most plausible migration scenario by comparing simulation
results against experimental data. The best-performing scenario was not purely passive but in
-
cluded an active larval propulsion proportional to body size. The corresponding migration dura-
tion was about 3 yr. Our modelling study succeeded in assimilating experimental data within a
conceptual framework that is consistent with that sketched out, almost a century ago, by Danish
biologist Johannes Schmidt.2013-07-29T22:00:00ZThe cuticle micromorphology of in situ Erica arborea L. exposed to long-term volcanic gaseshttp://hdl.handle.net/2122/8848
Title: The cuticle micromorphology of in situ Erica arborea L. exposed to long-term volcanic gases
Authors: Bartiromo, A.; Dipartimento delle Scienze Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II” Napoli;Université de Lyon; Université Lyon1, Villeurbanne; CNRS, UMR 5276 Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon. Herbiers de l’Université Claude Bernard Lyon, France;; Guignard, G.; Université de Lyon; Université Lyon1, Villeurbanne; CNRS, UMR 5276 Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon. Herbiers de l’Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, F-69622, Lyon, France; Barone Lumaga, M. R.; Orto Botanico, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via Foria, 223, 80139, Napoli, Italy; Barattolo, F.; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Largo San Marcellino, 10, 80138, Napoli, Italy; Chiodini, G.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione OV, Napoli, Italia; Avino, R.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione OV, Napoli, Italia; Guerriero, G.; Dipartimento delle Scienze Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via Mezzocannone, 8, 80134, Napoli, Italy; Barale, G.; Université de Lyon; Université Lyon1, Villeurbanne; CNRS, UMR 5276 Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon. Herbiers de l’Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, F-69622, Lyon, France
Abstract: Epidermis micromorphology of in situ Erica arborea L. exposed for generations to long-term effect of
volcanic gases in Pisciarelli and Solfatara di Pozzuoli areas have been studied by X-ray analyses, SEM
and TEM observations. In particular, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of volcanic gases
on extant and possibly fossil plants. Plants of the same species living in a nearby control site were also
studied for comparison. SEM coupled with EDX analysis was used to localize different elements within
the leaves (mesophyll, cell wall and cuticle). After conventional and cryo preparation, SEM of mature
leaves ascertained that the abaxial side is more serrate in fumigated leaves and hairs, epicuticular wax
alterations have also been noted. Leaves experiencing chronic fumigation display stomata more sunken
with respect to the epidermal surface. TEM of transverse and longitudinal sections of cuticle showed an
outer A2 granular amorphous layer and external to a B1 fibrillous layer. Significant statistical variations of
ultrastructural components of the cuticle revealed a response of E. arborea to this extreme environment.
At the ultrastructural level, significant variations in thickness of the cell wall plus cuticle, cell wall and
A2 layer among fumigated and non-fumigated leaves have been found. In the studied localities a positive
correlation between atmospheric CO2 concentration and the thickness of A2 layer also exists. The results
are of interest being applicable in the understanding of plant cuticle responses during periods of normal
vs. volcanic activity.2012-12-31T23:00:00ZMonitoraggio sismico del territorio nazionale: stato dell'arte e sviluppo delle reti di monitoraggio sismicohttp://hdl.handle.net/2122/8813
Title: Monitoraggio sismico del territorio nazionale: stato dell'arte e sviluppo delle reti di monitoraggio sismico
Authors: Sergio, Guardato; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione OV, Napoli, Italia
Abstract: Il sistema CUMAS (Cabled Underwater Module
for Acquisition of Seismological data) è un
prodotto tecnologico-scientifico complesso nato
con il Progetto V4 [Iannaccone et al., 2008] allo
scopo di monitorare l’area vulcanica dei Campi
Flegrei (fenomeno del bradisismo).
Si tratta di un modulo sottomarino cablato e
connesso a una boa galleggiante (meda elastica). Il
sistema è in grado di acquisire e trasmettere alla
sala di monitoraggio dell’OV, in continuo e in
tempo reale, sia i segnali sismologici sia quelli di
interesse geofisico ed oceanografico (maree,
correnti marine, segnali acustici subacquei,
parametri funzionali di varia natura).
Il sistema è in grado di ricevere comandi da remoto
per variare diversi parametri di acquisizione e di
monitorare un cospicuo numero di variabili di
funzionamento.
Il sistema si avvale del supporto di una boa
galleggiante attrezzata. La boa è installata a largo
del golfo di Pozzuoli (Napoli) a circa 3 km dalla
costa. Il modulo sottomarino, collegato via cavo
alla parte fuori acqua della boa, è installato sul
fondale marino a una profondità di circa 100 metri.2010-12-31T23:00:00ZGeochemical survey of Levante Bay, Vulcano Island (Italy), a natural laboratory for the study of ocean acidificationhttp://hdl.handle.net/2122/8764
Title: Geochemical survey of Levante Bay, Vulcano Island (Italy), a natural laboratory for the study of ocean acidification
Authors: Boatta, F.; Università di Palermo, Dip. DiSTeM; D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Gagliano, A. L.; Università di Palermo, Dip. DiSTeM; Liotta, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Milazzo, M.; Università di Palermo, Dip. DiSTeM; Rodolfo-Metalpa, R.; University of Plymouth, UK; Hall-Spencer, J. M.; University of Plymouth, UK; Parello, F.; Università di Palermo, Dip. DiSTeM
Abstract: Shallow submarine gas vents in Levante Bay, Vulcano Island (Italy), emit around 3.6t CO2 per day providing
a natural laboratory for the study of biogeochemical processes related to seabed CO2 leaks and ocean
acidification. The main physico-chemical parameters (T, pH and Eh) were measured at more than 70 stations
with 40 seawater samples were collected for chemical analyses. The main gas vent area had high
concentrations of dissolved hydrothermal gases, low pH and negative redox values all of which returned
to normal seawater values at distances of about 400 m from the main vents. Much of the bay around the
vents is corrosive to calcium carbonate; the north shore has a gradient in seawater carbonate chemistry
that is well suited to studies of the effects of long-term increases in CO2 levels. This shoreline lacks toxic
compounds (such as H2S) and has a gradient in carbonate saturation states.2013-07-31T22:00:00ZThe use of non-invasive field techniques in the study of small topographically closed lakes: two case studies in Sicily (Italy)http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8702
Title: The use of non-invasive field techniques in the study of small topographically closed lakes: two case studies in Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Madonia, P.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Cangemi, M.; Göttingen Zentrum Geowissenschaften, Abteilung Geobiologie, Universität Göttingen, Germany; Di Trapani, F. P.; Legambiente, Comitato regionale siciliano, Palermo, Italy
Abstract: Small endhoreic (topografically closed) lakes represent a little percentage
of continental waters but, in arid or sub-arid regions, they develop special
ecosystems potentially prone to ecological involution due to climatic
changes. The mandatory use of light, non-invasive field techniques is
often required, especially in protected areas. In the present work the use
of non-invasive techniques like GPS−based bathymetric and photographic
surveys have been applied to the study of two lakes, Specchio di
Venere and Sfondato (Sicily, southern Italy), both natural reserves. The
comparison between historical surveys and modern GPS−based bathymetries
highlighted the difficulty of using the former for the reconstruction
of climatic-induced variations due to the low number of
measurements (spatial aliasing). In particular, at the intracaldera Lake
Specchio di Venere, a high resolution survey gave new insights into a peculiar
geo-ecosystem whose evolution is driven by both volcanic phenomena
and biomineralization processes. On the contrary, the morphology
of Lake Sfondato floor is much more simple and driven only by the superimposition
of a detrital sedimentation on the initial collapse that generated
the lake. The comparison betweem direct measurements and
estimated changes of lake level, carried out between February 2008 and
October 2009 variations, allowed us to test different hypotheses of hydrological
balances, leading to opposite conclusions with respect to previous
studies and remarking the fundamental importance of direct
measurements in the validation of theoretical hydrological models.2013-04-22T22:00:00ZThe importance of methanotrophic activity in geothermal soils of Pantelleria island (Italy)http://hdl.handle.net/2122/8680
Title: The importance of methanotrophic activity in geothermal soils of Pantelleria island (Italy)
Authors: D'Alessandro, W.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Palermo, Palermo, Italia; Gagliano, A.L.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento DiSTeM; Quatrini, P.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento STEBICEF; Parello, F.; Università di Palermo, Dipartimento DiSTeM
Abstract: Methane is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect, its atmospheric concentration being more than doubled
since the XIX century. Every year 22 Tg of methane are released to the atmosphere from several natural and
anthropogenic sources. Natural sources include geothermal/volcanic areas but the estimation of the total methane
emission from these areas is currently not well defined since the balance between emission through degassing and
microbial oxidation within the soils is not well known.
Microbial oxidation in soils contributes globally for about 3-9% to the removal of methane from the atmosphere
and recent studies evidenced methanotrophic activity also in soils of volcanic/geothermal areas despite their harsh
environmental conditions (high temperatures, low pH and high concentrations of H2S and NH3). Methanotrophs
are a diverse group of bacteria that are able to metabolize methane as their only source of carbon and energy and
are found within the Alpha and Gamma classes of Proteobacteria and within the phylum Verrucomicrobia.
Our purpose was to study the interaction between methanotrophic communities and the methane emitted from the
geothermally most active site of Pantelleria island (Italy), Favara Grande, whose total methane emission has been
previously estimated in about 2.5 t/a.
Laboratory incubation experiments with soil samples from Favara Grande showed methane consumption values of
up to 9500 ng g-1 dry soil per hour while soils collected outside the geothermal area consume less than 6 ng g-1
h-1. The maximum consumption was measured in the shallowest part of the soil profile (1-3 cm) and high values
(>100 ng g-1 h-1) were maintained up to a depht of 15 cm. Furthermore, the highest consumption was measured at
37 C, and a still recognizable consumption (>20 ng g-1 h-1) at 80 C, with positive correlation with the methane
concentration in the incubation atmosphere. These results can be considered a clear evidence of the presence of
methanotrophs that were investigated by culturing and culture-independent techniques.
The diversity of proteobacterial methanotrophs was investigated by creating a clone library of the amplified
methane mono-oxygenase encoding gene, pmoA. Clone sequencing indicates the presence of Gammaproteobacteria
in the soils of Favara Grande. Enrichment cultures, on a mineral medium in a CH4-enriched atmosphere, led
to the isolation of different strains that were identified as Methylocistis spp., which belong to the Alphaproteobacteria.
The presence of Verrucomicrobia was detected by amplification of pmoA gene using newly designed primers.
Soils from Favara Grande show therefore the largest spectrum of methanotrophic microorganisms until now
detected in a geothermal environment.
While the presence of Verrucomicrobia in geothermal soils was predictable due to their thermophilic and
acidophilic character, the presence of both Alpha and Gamma proteobacteria was unexpected. Their presence is
limited to the shallowest part of the soil were temperatures are lower and is probably favored by a soil pH that is
not too low (pH 5) and their contribution to biological methane oxidation at Pantelleria is significant.
Understanding the ecology of methanotrophy in geothermal sites will increase our knowledge of the role of soils
in methane emissions in such environments.2013-04-07T22:00:00ZImpacts of natural and anthropogenic climate variations on North Pacific plankton in an Earth System Modelhttp://hdl.handle.net/2122/8195
Title: Impacts of natural and anthropogenic climate variations on North Pacific plankton in an Earth System Model
Authors: Patara, L.; CMCC; Vichi, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Bologna, Bologna, Italia; Masina, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Bologna, Bologna, Italia
Abstract: The impacts of natural atmospheric variability and anthropogenic climate change on the spatial distribution, seasonality, structure, and productivity of North Pacific plankton groups are investigated by means of an Earth System Model (ESM) that contains a plankton model with variable stoichiometry. The ESM is forced with observed greenhouse gases for the 20th century and with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change A1B Emission Scenario for the 21st century. The impacts of the two main modes of variability – connected with the Aleutian Low (AL) strength and with the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) – are considered. When the AL is strong, primary productivity and chlorophyll concentrations are higher in the central Pacific, the seasonality of plankton is enhanced, and the classical grazing chain is stimulated, whereas in the Alaskan Gyre the model simulates a chlorophyll decrease and a shift toward smaller phytoplankton species. A stronger NPO increases productivity and chlorophyll concentration at ∼45°N. In the anthropogenic climate change scenario, simulated sea surface temperature is 4 °C higher with respect to contemporary conditions, leading to reduced mixing and nutrient supply at middle-subpolar latitudes. The seasonal phytoplankton bloom is reduced and occurs one month earlier, the flow of carbon to the microbial loop is enhanced, and phytoplanktonic stoichiometry is nutrient-depleted. Primary productivity is enhanced at subpolar latitudes, due to increased ice-free regions and possibly to temperature-related photosynthesis stimulation. This study highlights that natural climate variability may act alternatively to strengthen or to weaken the human-induced impacts, and that in the next decades it will be difficult to distinguish between internal and external climate forcing on North Pacific plankton groups.2011-12-31T23:00:00ZThe emergence of ocean biogeochemical provinces: a quantitative assessment and a diagnostic for model evaluation.http://hdl.handle.net/2122/7628
Title: The emergence of ocean biogeochemical provinces: a quantitative assessment and a diagnostic for model evaluation.
Authors: Vichi, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Bologna, Bologna, Italia; Allen, J. I.; PML; Masina, S.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Bologna, Bologna, Italia; Hardman-Mountford, N.; PML
Abstract: The concept of ocean biogeochemical provinces is based on the observation that large
ocean regions are characterized by coherent physical forcing and environmental
conditions, which are eventually representative of macroscale ocean ecosystems.
Biogeochemical models of the global ocean focus on simulating the coupling between
prevalent physical conditions and the biogeochemical processes with the assumption that
biological properties respond coherently to physics and therefore should produce such
provinces as an emergent property. In this paper, we quantitatively assess the emergence
of a reference set of predefined biogeochemical provinces in the available global data
sets and propose a province‐based approach to the evaluation of one of the most
comprehensive models of ocean biogeochemistry. Multivariate statistical tools were
applied to model and observation data, verifying the existence, distinctiveness and reliability
of the predefined provinces and quantifying the correlation of model results with
observations at the global scale. The analysis of similarity between provinces shows that they
are statistically separable in data and model output and therefore can be used as reliable
metrics. The analyses indicate that provinces can be more easily distinguished in terms of
their environmental features rather than using chlorophyll concentration. The
characterization of provinces by means of chlorophyll values shows a significant overlap
in both the Sea‐viewing Wide Field‐of‐view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data and the model. It is
likely this is related to the choice of province boundaries based on coarse‐resolution
mapped data, which are not necessarily the same as those derivable from high‐resolution
satellite data. We also demonstrated through cluster analysis that the long‐term time
series data collected at Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) stations are
representative of environmental conditions of the respective province and can thus be
used to evaluate model results extracted from that province. The method shows promise
for helping to overcome problems with model verification due to under sampling of
most ocean biogeochemical variables but also gives indications that unsupervised
clustering may be required when more spatially resolved data and models are available.2010-12-31T23:00:00ZImpact of appendicularians on detritus and export fluxes: a model approach at Dyfamed sitehttp://hdl.handle.net/2122/7625
Title: Impact of appendicularians on detritus and export fluxes: a model approach at Dyfamed site
Authors: Berline, L.; LOB; Stemman, L.; LOB; Vichi, M.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Bologna, Bologna, Italia; Lombard, F.; LOPB; Gorsky, G.; LOB
Abstract: So far, the role of appendicularians in the biogeochemical cycling of organic
matter has been largely overlooked. Appendicularians represent only a fraction of
total mesozooplankton biomass, however these ubiquitous zooplankters have very
high filtration and growth rates compared to copepods, and produce numerous
fecal pellets and filtering houses contributing to export production by aggregating
small marine particles. To study their quantitative impact on biogeochemical flux,
we have included this group in the biogeochemical flux model, using a recently
developed ecophysiological model. One-dimensional annual simulations of the
pelagic ecosystem including appendicularians were conducted with realistic surface
forcing for the year 2000, using data from the DyFAMed open ocean station. The
appendicularian grazing impact was generally low, but appendicularians increased
detritus production by 8% and export production by 55% compared to a simulation
without appendicularians. Therefore, current biogeochemical models
lacking appendicularians probably under, or misestimate the detritus and export
production by omitting the pathway from small-sized plankton to fast sinking detritus.
Detritus production and export rates are 60% lower than the estimates from
mesotrophic sites, showing that appendicularians’ role is lower but still significant
in oligotrophic environments. The simulated annual export at 200 m exceeds sediment
trap values by 44%, suggesting an intense degradation during the sinking of
appendicularian detritus, supported by observations made at other sites. Thus,
degradation and grazing of appendicularian detritus need better quantification if
we are to accurately assess the role of appendicularia in export flux.2010-12-31T23:00:00ZSocietal need for improved understanding of climate change, anthropogenic impacts, and geo-hazard warning drive development of ocean observatories in European Seashttp://hdl.handle.net/2122/7104
Title: Societal need for improved understanding of climate change, anthropogenic impacts, and geo-hazard warning drive development of ocean observatories in European Seas
Authors: Ruhl, H. A.; NOCS; Andrè, M.; UPC; Beranzoli, L.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Çagatay, M. N.; ITU; Colaço, A.; Univ. Azores; Cannat, M.; IPGP; Dañobeitia, J. J.; CSIC-UTM; Favali, P.; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione Roma2, Roma, Italia; Géli, L.; IFREMER; Gillooly, M.; IMI; Greinert, J.; NIOZ; Hall, P. O. J.; Univ. Goteborg; Huber, R.; MARUM; Karstensen, J.; Univ. Kiel; Lampitt, R. S.; NOCS; Larkin, K. E.; NOCS; Lykousis, V.; HCMR; Mienert, J.; Univ. Tromsø; Miranda, J. M.; Univ. Lisboa; Person, R.; IFREMER; Priede, I. G.; Univ. Aberdeen; Puillat, I.; IFREMER; Thomsen, L.; Jacobs Univ. Bremen; Waldmann, C.; MARUM
Abstract: Society’s needs for a network of in situ ocean observing systems cross many areas of earth and marine
science. Here we review the science themes that benefit from data supplied from ocean observatories.
Understanding from existing studies is fragmented to the extent that it lacks the coherent long-term
monitoring needed to address questions at the scales essential to understand climate change and
improve geo-hazard early warning. Data sets from the deep sea are particularly rare with long-term data
available from only a few locations worldwide. These science areas have impacts on societal health and
well-being and our awareness of ocean function in a shifting climate.
Substantial efforts are underway to realise a network of open-ocean observatories around European
Seas that will operate over multiple decades. Some systems are already collecting high-resolution data
from surface, water column, seafloor, and sub-seafloor sensors linked to shore by satellite or cable connection
in real or near-real time, along with samples and other data collected in a delayed mode. We
expect that such observatories will contribute to answering major ocean science questions including:
How can monitoring of factors such as seismic activity, pore fluid chemistry and pressure, and gas
hydrate stability improve seismic, slope failure, and tsunami warning? What aspects of physical oceanography,
biogeochemical cycling, and ecosystems will be most sensitive to climatic and anthropogenic
change? What are natural versus anthropogenic changes? Most fundamentally, how are marine processes
that occur at differing scales related?
The development of ocean observatories provides a substantial opportunity for ocean science to evolve
in Europe. Here we also describe some basic attributes of network design. Observatory networks provide the means to coordinate and integrate the collection of standardised data capable of bridging measurement
scales across a dispersed area in European Seas adding needed certainty to estimates of future oceanic
conditions. Observatory data can be analysed along with other data such as those from satellites,
drifting floats, autonomous underwater vehicles, model analysis, and the known distribution and abundances
of marine fauna in order to address some of the questions posed above. Standardised methods for
information management are also becoming established to ensure better accessibility and traceability of
these data sets and ultimately to increase their use for societal benefit. The connection of ocean observatory
effort into larger frameworks including the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and
the Global Monitoring of Environment and Security (GMES) is integral to its success. It is in a greater integrated
framework that the full potential of the component systems will be realised.2010-12-31T23:00:00Z